Drie vrouwenbeelden en een groep met twee vrouwen en een kind 1668 - 1671

Jan de Bisschop created this print, "Three Female Statues and a Group with Two Women and a Child," sometime before his death in 1671. During the Dutch Golden Age, there was a burgeoning interest in classical antiquity. De Bisschop’s print reflects this fascination, presenting us with idealized female figures reminiscent of ancient Roman sculptures. These figures, rendered in delicate lines, invite reflection on the construction of gender and power. One figure appears to be an allegory of peace, while another embodies military strength, yet they all share a composed femininity dictated by the male gaze. What does it mean to cast women as symbols, and how does it shape their identities? These idealized women, detached from the social realities of the 17th century, prompt us to consider the interplay between art, representation, and the lived experiences of women then and now. The print both reflects and perpetuates cultural values, inviting us to question the roles women are assigned and the narratives they are allowed to tell.